Police: Teen lying in road before fatal accident

Lubbock Police have determined that a 17-year-old Frenship student was lying on Upland near 87th street before he was hit by a large truck. Police now have the vehicle in custody.

Initially, Sgt. John Hayes said they thought the accident was a hit and run. Now, after investigating, they are calling it a tragic accident.

Police seized a Ford truck on Sunday morning. There was no broken glass and no skid marks at the scene, but now they say the vehicle they took in is the truck that hit Connor Mercer.

"We were waiting on the preliminary autopsy by the medical examiner to identify some of the types of injuries," Haynes said. "Once we got that we were able to go back on the vehicle that we did indeed have in our possession."

Hayes cannot say if the driver of the vehicle came forward or if any charges will be filed.

Mercer was at a party before the accident and friends say he decided to walk home.

The accident investigation and homicide divisions are still trying to figure out why Mercer was in the road. So far they have ruled out the possibility of assault.

Police have released the 911 call from Sunday at 3:38 a.m. The caller told the operator that he found a body in the middle of the road and said he was headed back to work. Crying, the caller spent nearly three minutes describing what he saw. The caller said no one was around. He was then told to wait until EMS arrived.

Police are still waiting for toxicology results, which have been expedited. They continue to follow up on leads to help better understand what happened in this tragic accident.

TABC is also looking into the accident.

If you have any information on this accident, you can call Crime Line at 741-1000.

There will be a visitation on Wednesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Sanders Funeral Home. The family may be in attendance. Students are encouraged to come.

A Celebration of his life will be held Thursday at 4 p.m. at Lakeridge UMC. Bill Couch will be officiating.

There has been an account created at First United Bank for those who wish to contribute in memory of Connor Mercer. All contributions will be given to the Young Life Organization of Lubbock.

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